Characteristics and correlates of drug use and misuse among university students in Wales: a survey of seven universities

Abstract

Background: Over the last ten years, there has been a worldwide expansion of research on drug use among university students. However, this trend has been less noticeable in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of the current study is to add to the existing research base by investigating some of the characteristics and correlates of drug use among university students in the UK.

Methods: Seven of the nine universities in Wales collaborated in a national survey of drug use among students during the academic year 2015–2016. The online questionnaire was identical for each university and covered a range of topics including: tobacco and e-cigarette use, traditional drug use, use of new psychoactive substances and illicit use of prescription drugs.

Results: All students from seven universities in Wales were individually emailed an online questionnaire. In total 7,855 students returned the questionnaire. The most commonly used drugs, after alcohol and cigarettes, were cannabis, ecstasy, nitrous oxide and powder cocaine. There was significant variation across universities in the prevalence of drug use.

Conclusions: Several prevention and treatment programmes have been implemented by universities in the United States (US) to reduce drug use among students. These include university-based education and information programmes, social norm approaches, and brief motivational interventions. Such programmes should be trialled in UK universities to test their effectiveness based on rigorous methods of evaluation.

Keywords:

• University students
• drug misuse
• new psychoactive substances
• prescription drugs
• higher education alcohol and drugs survey

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Notes

1 In order to avoid constantly switching between ‘misuse’ and ‘use’ to differentiate illegal and legal use, we shall use the single term ‘use’ hereafter to cover both concepts, allowing the context to make the distinction.

2 Three of the 16 studies found were dated before 2000 (Webb et al. 1996; Makhoul et al. 1998; Somekh 1976) and have been excluded from the analysis. The drug use prevalence rates reported in these studies were: cannabis (range 32.0–57.5%); ecstasy (range 7.5–13.0%); and amphetamines (range 10.1–18.7%).

3 Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Glyndwr University, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Swansea University, University of South Wales, University of Wales Trinity St David.

Additional information

Funding

University of South Wales - Crime, Justice and Society Research Institute and Welsh Government - Substance Misuse Division.